Blog: The Deadly Stigma of Addiction – Is it Possible to Separate the Disease of Addiction from the Stigma? Here Are Eight Life-changing Reasons We Should Try

The American Society of Addiction Medicine characterizes addiction as a “primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry.” The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as a ‘chronic, relapsing brain disease” that changes the structure and functionality of the brain. So why do so many people still think of addiction as a moral failing? Why do they still refer to victims of substance misuse disorders as meth freaks, alcoholics, junkies, crack heads and garden-variety drunks?

The answer is simple as it is depressing: because that’s the way it’s always been.